“We are not like Italy or Greece who only get two percent of
their oil needs from Iran. It is easy for them or France to give
up Iranian oil. But it is different for us, and they have to
understand that,” Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said.
Like
India, Turkey has said it will observe only UN-mandated
restrictions on Iran.

Turkey has always adopted a “zero problems” approach to foreign
policy, as it attempts to balance
its aspirations in the Middle East and its friendship with
the West. Supporting some of Iran's policies, while criticizing
others, could be a part of this approach.

Iran went so far as to threaten retaliation if Turkey’s air bases
were used by U.S. forces against Assad, saying that in such a
situation, U.S. and NATO bases in Turkey could become targets of
Iranian missiles. If Turkey believes this threat is credible,
Erdogan's statement could be a way to pacify Ahmadinejad.